The blog of reason, weirdness, and progress. #progressive #disabilityrights.

Who Is Your Hero?

Dear America,

Who is the true hero of this country? Is it the guy who founded this nation? Is it Andrew Jackson, who looted and polluted textbooks for years? Or was it Abraham Lincoln who freed slaves? No, none of these men are heroes because of things they did. In fact, America, you are kidding yourselves.

The hero of the day is you. Yes, you. Why is this?

If you’re black, you’ve contributed more than white people to the work and the music and culture of this country. Where did jazz music come from? So what if it’s boring ass elevator muzak and other things, it is still an American art form.

It is you, the filmmaker who is safe to make films against honor violence. It is you, the blind guy or gal wanting to read books. It is you, the First Nations persona who wants to get off the drug ridden reservation that your family was forced upon by white settlers.

Guess what? All of us in the U.S. are heroes, but if the Republican candidate for the Presidency has his way, only white persons will be considered heroes!

We are a nation of immigrants, so respect those around you. Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Iraq, everywhere else comes here, and we are all their hero. Lady Liberty is the true welcome for all Americans, and she said with her crown and smile that all could come. Emma Lasarus said it best, “Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Not so we can divide them by color. Those are today’s heroes.